DoorDash – On-Demand Food Delivery Service

DoorDash is an online food delivery service that also offers extensive logistic data to their restaurant partners.

The company aims to help customers by taking up time-consuming tasks like driving, parking and waiting for orders. At the same time, DoorDash focuses on expanding the customer base of restaurants that don’t have their own delivery service in place.

How Does DoorDash Work?

DoorDash offers on-demand food delivery from restaurants. How does that work exactly and how does it differ from what other companies provide? From a customer’s standpoint, it is a simple process not that much different than what similar online delivery services offer.

First, you pick out your favorite food from the list of restaurants featured on DoorDash. After that, you will be asked to pay before the order can be placed on your behalf to the restaurant. Once the transaction is complete on your end, the restaurant will receive an order and a dasher will be assigned to pick it up and deliver it to your location.

While you are waiting for the DoorDash dasher, you can track the status of your order. The app lets you see the status and location of the driver. Once the order is delivered, you can rate or tip your dasher.

The big difference between DoorDash and most of the other companies in the same field is how they interact with restaurants. Not only does DoorDash offer a means to expand the customer base, it also serves as an online marketing platform. As part of their business model, DoorDash gets paid by the restaurants to feature their menus and promote their food.

DoorDash Review

DoorDash reviews are somewhat mixed but mainly on the positive side. Following their lawsuits with the In-N-Out chain, the company was more careful when developing new relationships with partner restaurants. It’s safe to say that’s one mistake they’ve learned from.

Most drivers who choose to work for DoorDash as part-time contractors are pleased with the inner workings of the operation. Picking up orders for restaurants is certainly less frustrating than running down grocery store aisles to locate products.

The one concern some drivers share is that individual tips received through the app are not shown. Instead, they are presented as a total sum at the end of a shift.

DoorDash Free Delivery

DoorDash doesn’t offer free deliveries to first-time customers. They do offer a massive discount but nothing close to 100% off. During certain promotional campaigns or holidays, you can find coupons and promo codes for free deliveries. There’s a minimum amount that you have to order to use these promo codes.

That amount can be as little as $15 or as high as $100. It typically varies a lot depending on location, restaurants and many other factors. To be notified of these promotions you can follow DoorDash on social media and subscribe to their newsletters. That should keep you updated on the latest developments and available deals.

How to Contact DoorDash

There are many ways to contact DoorDash and most of them are online. Either via email or social media, you can contact customer support for assistance. If you want to partner up with DoorDash or discuss marketing opportunities, it is recommended that you do so via their website.

They have specialized online forms for employment and collaboration opportunities. Once you fill out the required fields you will be contacted by a representative from the department you seek. However, if you wish to have a more direct conversation, there’s always a phone line you can use.

DoorDash Phone Number

To reach the corporate office you can use this number 844-285-0248. If you’re a restaurant interested in becoming a vendor on DoorDash, there’s an easy way around this. The DoorDash website has an online form you can fill out and submit. There is usually little reason to call the corporate office for marketing and sales information since all of that is available online.

DoorDash Customer Service Phone Number

Customers can contact DoorDash at 650-681-9470. This is the customer service line and it is available 24/7. Whatever information you cannot find on their website’s support section, a support representative can surely provide it.

DoorDash on Twitter

Like most online companies these days, DoorDash has a strong social media presence. While their official Twitter page is usually used for promotions the @DoorDash_Help page is dedicated to helping customers. On the same Twitter help page, DoorDash often tweets regarding app updates, maintenance, and other technical issues that might interest its users.

DoorDash Email

The following address, support.doordash.com, can be used by customers who don’t like to be put on hold over the phone. The response time is not as fast, but it is a popular choice nonetheless.

DoorDash App

Whether you are a customer, restaurant manager or a dasher, the DoorDash app is easy to use. It’s designed to present valuable data efficiently depending on the user’s needs.

Customers can use the app to track their delivery status in almost real-time updates. When you browse through the online menus, the app shows you popular items, prices and deals that appeal to customers of similar taste. At the same time, you can access your own order history and work on a new one from there.

Dashers also have an easy time using the app. Because there is a close to real-time connection between customer and dasher, there is rarely the need for customers to call their dashers. This makes it less stressful on the road for people looking to work a few hours a day and have fun doing it.

Restaurants can access sales analytics through the app or request them from DoorDash separately. However, the app offers very detailed information on all deliveries and the queries that can be inputted are highly customizable.

DoorDash Locations

DoorDash is available in 32 major locations spread all over the US and parts of Canada. You can find their service from as far south as San Antonio and all the way up to Boston. As new locations are added, they are shown on the app and on the DoorDash website. For an up-to-date list of locations, you should always check there.

DoorDash Business Model

Although DoorDash takes multiple small cuts here and there to make money, the business model is not at all complicated. They make most of their revenue two ways.

First, they take a cut on each order placed. This is why the receipt from an online delivery will total slightly higher than what you would pay if you did your own shopping. This commission varies depending on location, the number of ordered products and the partnered restaurant. Regardless of the situation, DoorDash doesn’t take a commission higher than 20% of the total order.

The second revenue stream for DoorDash is through advertising. Each restaurant that wants to partner with DoorDash can pay the company for ad space, branding and business strategy models, marketing campaigns, and last but not least, logistics data. DoorDash is a private company so the actual revenue breakdown is unknown, but it’s safe to assume that customers are the main revenue driver since there wouldn’t be any restaurant advertising without a healthy level of customer orders.

DoorDash Net Worth

DoorDash is valued at around $700 million as of 2017. For a company started in 2013 this is an impressive achievement. Early investments played a massive role in this valuation, but it is the business model and rapid expansion of DoorDash that made it happen. It also didn’t hurt that the online on-demand delivery business has seen a huge growth in the past couple of years.

DoorDash vs. Other Services

On paper, DoorDash doesn’t seem that much different from its competitors. They bring food to people, partner with stores/restaurants, and hire their own drivers. Be that as it may, there are a few subtleties that set them apart.

Some have to do with their hiring process and some with their pricing. Their business model is also a bit different than some of the other companies in this niche. Here’s how DoorDash stacks up against some of its most popular competitors.

DoorDash vs Postmates

The main difference between DoorDash and Postmates is in the products they deliver. Postmates is not limited to food deliveries. You can have their drivers pick up orders from supermarkets, restaurants, hardware stores, pharmacies and anything else you can think of.

DoorDash is currently focused entirely on restaurant delivery service. While some may view this as a drawback, it makes total sense considering their business model. Because a big part of their revenue comes from restaurant advertising, it is only natural that the company wants to dedicate more attention to restaurant deliveries.

As far as fees are concerned, both DoorDash and Postmates are in the $5 to $8 range when it comes to deliveries. The fee on both platforms varies depending on distance or time of day. DoorDash has an edge with their app; it is more advanced in terms of tracking your order and offering logistic data to customers and partners.

DoorDash vs Uber Eats

Perhaps the main difference between Uber Eats and DoorDash is how much more money Uber Eats can invest in its delivery service. DoorDash certainly doesn’t have a valuation of billions of dollars like Uber does. That being said, both delivery services have their pros and cons, so it doesn’t look like Uber Eats is getting ahead by any means.

Uber Eats charges $5 per order. Sometimes this can be higher but for the most part it stays at the $5 mark. This makes Uber Eats seem more affordable at least as far as delivery fees are concerned. DoorDash, on the other hand, has developed a great partnership program that allows them to work with many small and big restaurants, and food chains.

Because DoorDash is focused solely on this niche for the time being, it makes sense that they could get better deals than their competitors. For this reason, the varying $5 to $8 delivery fee that DoorDash charges may not seem as much when you get to buy the actual food cheaper.

DoorDash vs Grubhub

Grubhub is known for how often they put up promo codes for delivery discounts. DoorDash does this too, just not nearly as often as Grubhub. If you don’t mind browsing online and looking for deals, then Grubhub can be a cheaper option than DoorDash.

When it comes to delivery times, you can’t really compare the two. Although some customers complain that Grubhub doesn’t offer a speedy service, they almost never account for traffic, rush hours, and the area of operation.

A big difference between DoorDash and Grubhub is noticeable in the software department. The DoorDash app appears to be more stable for both drivers and customers. Tracking your order is user friendly and it has near real-time updates.

Grubhub doesn’t have a set delivery fee. The restaurants they partner with can choose to set a fee which you can see before you submit an order.

However, it does not necessarily mean that ordering with Grubhub will be cheaper. They still take an average of 13.5% commission on orders, which means that the online prices will be significantly higher than on-ground locations. It has to be this way for both Grubhub and the restaurants to make money.

DoorDash vs Caviar

Caviar is a small fish in the pond. They’re more similar to Uber Eats than DoorDash in the sense that they are a small branch of a larger corporation. They offer competitive prices on deliveries and restaurant fees, but they lack the infrastructure that bigger fish like DoorDash have.

Caviar is not as widespread as DoorDash and they don’t have as many drivers. While they do ok in the cities they’re in, they simply can’t expand as easily as DoorDash. In the immediate future, it is hard to see anyone picking Caviar over DoorDash if both companies offer services in the same area.

What works in favor of Caviar is that they also offer pick-up orders. This means there’s no delivery fee and you only have to pay a service fee. If you want to pick up your grocery bags without having to shop for products and standing in line, it’s a nice, cheaper alternative.

DoorDash Pricing

Many people want to know how much DoorDash charges. It’s important to understand that they charge both customers and restaurants, so their fees vary plenty. For restaurants that want to partner with DoorDash, there is an online questionnaire available.

Once that is completed and submitted, their sales team will make an assessment and reply with an offer. Sometimes more information may be requested in order to make a better evaluation.

DoorDash prices vary from restaurant to restaurant as revenue potential, menus and customer base are taken into account. This is not uncommon with any company that offers similar delivery services. Because DoorDash is not publicly listed, there is little to no disclosure on how much DoorDash charges restaurants for advertising or for their partnership program.

Depending on the agreement with a restaurant, DoorDash will set a commission for orders placed there that can be as high as 20%. Again, this is subject to change as sometimes larger orders can have a smaller commission.

DoorDash delivery fees are usually higher during holiday seasons. Sometimes rush hours may also spark an increase in the delivery fee but rarely does it exceed $8, even though the fee is also based on travel distance.

DoorDash also offers the ability to cancel your order. You need to be quick about it though. If the restaurant starts preparing your meal it is too late to ask for a refund. If you wish to cancel, you can access the order status page on the app and follow the steps presented there.

If you have trouble locating it, you can search within the app with the term DoorDash cancel order and you will be redirected to their support page. That will give you step-by-step instructions and also inform you of all the conditions you should meet to be eligible for cancelation and refund.

DoorDash FAQ

We’ve covered pretty much every area of DoorDash, now let’s take a look at some of the questions the customers and drivers ask. If you have a question of your own, leave it in the comments below and we’ll add it to our list!

DoorDash Delivery Fee

The standard delivery fee is $5.99. This can go up as high as $8 depending on distance or the agreement DoorDash has with the restaurant. During certain promotions, you can get discounts on delivery orders over $15. New customers also get a large discount on their first order.

Is DoorDash Legit?

DoorDash is a legit online logistics company that offers on-demand delivery services and marketing strategies to restaurant partners. They also offer employment opportunities for drivers and people looking to make a career in one of their corporate departments.

How Much Does DoorDash Cost?

Unlike similar apps, the DoorDash app is free to use. You aren’t obligated to pay any membership or registration fee. The costs associated with DoorDash include the delivery fee of $5.99 or more, and the service fees which differ from restaurant to restaurant.

DoorDash Tips

You can tip your dasher in two ways. One way to do it is by using the app and transferring funds upon the completion of the delivery. You can also tip your dasher with cash in person.

DoorDash Taxes

As a dasher, you are not technically employed by DoorDash. You are more an independent contractor that gets outsourced jobs on an order-by-order basis. Because of this business plan, DoorDash doesn’t withhold any earnings from you for tax purposes. It is up to you to do your taxes and declare your earnings accordingly to be in good standing with the law.

DoorDash Hours

Because DoorDash works with many restaurants their schedule often depends on the business hours of their partners. Usually, they make deliveries from as early as 08:00 AM and as late as 11:00 PM. The schedule, however, is always subject to change especially during the holiday seasons.

Is DoorDash Worth It?

DoorDash is generally worth it for customers, drivers and restaurant owners. Whether you don’t have time to go out to eat, or your favorite place doesn’t have a delivery service, DoorDash can assist you. If you’re physically unable to do your own shopping, DoorDash can help.

If you’re in the food business and you need a way to expand your customer base, the online marketing support from DoorDash can offer you a new revenue stream. If you don’t want to invest in a delivery operation but you still want to offer your customers their favorite food, no matter where they live, partnering with DoorDash is beneficial to everyone.

Last but not least, if you want to make some extra cash, DoorDash is an equal-opportunity employer that offers flexible hours for its dashers and great technical support.

Do You Tip DoorDash?

Tipping is not included in the final total of the order. It is up to customers if they choose to show their appreciation by tipping the dasher. This can be done online or in cash and the entire sum goes to the dasher.

Canceling a DoorDash Order

You can only cancel your order on DoorDash before the restaurant starts cooking your food. In order to do this, you should log on to the order status page. If you are not too late, the order can be canceled, and your money will be refunded.

You cannot cancel your order while the delivery is in process. If the dasher is en route to the restaurant you can only change some delivery instructions or your delivery address. However, you cannot cancel the order and receive a refund at that point.

Does DoorDash Take Cash?

DoorDash doesn’t deal in cash transactions with customers or drivers. Customers can only pay online through the app. The only use for cash is when you want to tip your driver in person.

Do DoorDash Drivers See Your Tip?

DoorDash dashers don’t see individual tips received through the app. They only see the total amount in tips received after their shift has ended.

How Do I Use DoorDash Credits?

DoorDash credits are earned by referring your friends to join and use the app. The money you earn from this is given to you in the form of credits. The credits cannot be exchanged for money or free orders, but they can be used to purchase promotional codes for discounts. To access your credits and view their expiration date, you need to visit your account page.

Does DoorDash do In-N-Out?

Following the disputes in court between DoorDash and In-N-Out, DoorDash is not authorized to perform deliveries from In-N-Out locations.

DoorDash has an impressive infrastructure set up with thousands of drivers and so many popular restaurants across the entire country. If you want to join their fleet, become a partner or simply order in from your favorite place, give the app a try!

Conclusion – Our Take

DoorDash enables you to get your food delivered to you without having to step a foot outside your home and drive all the way to your favorite restaurant.

The mission of DoorDash is to deliver food to people as efficiently as possible, and they definitely deliver on that promise. It is a convenient way for customers to receive food at their door and it also benefits restaurants who get access to an extended customer base.

Currently, DoorDash is concentrating only on food delivery but in the future, it might increase to other spaces as well and offer some stiff competition to businesses in the on-demand delivery industry.

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